Description

This writing workshop is for scholars of religion and theology who have written exclusively or primarily in the scholarly genre for other scholars of religion; for those who long to share their knowledge or personal experience in a more creative way with a wider audience. This is not about working on your next solely academic text. Many scholars yearn to speak to a broader audience through creative nonfiction, blogs, op-eds, and memoir. Many scholars want to write with more clarity and imagination. Participants in this workshop will develop their writing voice in service to topics they care about, and for which they have passion and curiosity. A combination of plenary, small group and individual instruction, our week together will help scholars free the creative spirit, structure their writing more effectively, and speak on the page in a truer, more engaging voice. Our focus will be on releasing the professors’ voice to the public square, giving permission to be imaginative, and finding new ways of being inspired.

Workshop Goals

• To create a collaborative learning cohort of teacher-scholars to expand and deepen scholarly writing
• To navigate the intersecting challenges of creative writing as an academic
• To develop new practices of creative writing in the service of teaching and scholarship of religion and theology
• To explore strategies for the authentic voice while thriving in institutional, political and personal contexts
• To write and receive feedback while also being in conversation with other creative writers

Eligibility

• Tenure track, continuing term, and/or full-time contingency teaching full time in college, university, or seminary
• Must be teaching in religion and theology or related fields
• Job description or contract that is wholly or primarily inclusive of teaching 
• Teaching in accredited college, university, seminary in the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada 
• Personal commitment to participate fully in workshop with 100% attendance in all sessions
• Little to no experience with publishing in creative genres, but great interest in learning to write in creative genre

Application Materials

Application Contact Information form

Cover letter

An introductory letter describing why you are interested in expanding your scholarly writing into creative genres, and how you hope this workshop will support and/or enhance your endeavor (300 to 325 words).

Academic CV (4-page limit)

A letter of institutional support for your full participation in this workshop from your Department Chair, Academic Dean, Provost, Vice President, or President. Please have this recommendation uploaded directly to your application according to the online application instructions.